Eternity Life

Lake Willoughby, VT

"And this is eternal life,

that they may know you,

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

(From John 17:1-11)

Lake Willoughby is the most scenic lake in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

The Lake is surrounded by mountains on either side and fed by cold springs, giving it God's natural beauty.

God's gifts in this lake include camping, fishing, sailing, swimming, and ice skating.

For me, though, it is more than a scenic lake. As I look across the clear water, through the mountains, and up to the sky above, I am reminded of eternal life.

Jesus, however, is speaking of a different kind of eternal life.

He is not referring only to something in the future.

He is describing eternal life as something we share even now.

Eternal life is central John’s Gospel, but modern ideas confuse a richer meaning.

Jesus shows God’s love for the world desiring to draw all into God’s own eternity life, which is participation in the very presence of God.”

 “Eternity life,” as Mary Coloe explains, stresses a different kind of life, not simply a longer one.

Eternity life may also be understood as “abiding” in Jesus.

Jesus’ teaching about “eternal life,” “abiding,” and “dwelling” describes a deep, relational life of love that disciples are invited to share now, not only in the life to come.

Through God and Jesus, we receive identity as God’s children and share in that eternity life.

Abiding in Jesus is not simply waiting to leave this world behind because that life begins now in a new identity and deep relationship with God.

Jesus and The Mooch

 

"The Mooch"

“I will not leave you orphaned; 

I am coming to you"

(from John 14:15-21)

Have you ever experienced feelings of being lost or abandoned?

This is “The Mooch”

He earned that name after he appeared at the sliding door of our deck with a forlorn look.

Like many feral cats, we have no clue where he came from and how he happened to choose our deck.

So, being kind to cats, Elaine fed him.

From then on, we could count on his appearance.

Sometimes he would stay for an hour, sometimes he would stretch out and enjoy the sun most of the day.

His one rule was: don’t try to catch me.

One day he didn’t show up.

Then he didn’t show up for three days in a row and we concluded something happened to him or he simply decided to move on in search of another deck with a sliding door.

Once again, “The “Mooch” was on his own.

Jesus, though, made a promise to his disciples: he would not abandon them.

It’s hard to get through life without experiencing feeling lost or abandoned.

Certainly, Thomas and Philip had those feelings when Jesus talks about leaving his followers. (Jn 14:1-14).

Instead of leaving the disciples feeling abandoned, Jesus promised to return “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.”

Jesus reminds the disciples and us, those who follow Jesus’ commands love him; they will be loved by my God, and I will love and reveal myself to them.